Late-night search for UNH co-ed in Portsmouth

Friday

Oct 12, 2012 at 6:00 AMOct 13, 2012 at 7:32 AM

By Paula J. Owen TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Authorities were searching along the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, N.H., tonight for Elizabeth J. Marriott, 19, a native of Westboro attending the University of New Hampshire and missing since Tuesday night.

State and local police in New Hampshire and the FBI are investigating, and Portsmouth police confirmed that an investigation tonight at Peirce Island is in response to a tip related to the disappearance.

At least 10 investigators were at the scene as of 11 p.m., and entrances to Prescott Park on the bank of the river that divides Maine and New Hampshire, and the 27-acre Peirce Island were blocked, along with barriers put in place at State, Court and Hancock streets in the city.

Through the day, more than 50 people in teams of two to three were out searching for “Lizzi” Marriott and posting fliers that offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.

During a press conference this evening in front of the Chester Police Department, New Hampshire Associate Attorney General Jane Young said authorities do not suspect anything nefarious, but are not ruling anything out.

Helicopters are searching areas where it is possible Ms. Marriott could have driven off the road, Ms. Young said, but it is difficult to detect anything with the many falling leaves.

Ms. Young said her office is marshaling all the federal, state and local resources it can for the search that will continue through the weekend if needed. Authorities were alerted to “be on the lookout” both in the state and nationwide, she added.

Authorities were concerned yesterday about the predicted cold temperatures that were expected to dip below freezing overnight.

Ms. Marriott's father, Robert E. Marriott Jr., is helping coordinate volunteer searches. Appearing exhausted and admittedly in a “fragile” mental state this evening, Mr. Marriott said they plan to start searching popular hangout areas for college-age kids including the Hampton Beach area.

Mr. Marriott said he is relying on the support of his “wonderful” friends and family who provide him with a shoulder to cry on when he needs it.

“Lizzi, come home,” the missing woman's father said when speaking to the press.

At the command center in the Town Hall next to Chester's Police Department, Ms. Marriott's aunt, Rebecca L. Tyning, from Beverly, Mass., described her niece as very responsible, saying she always lets people know where she is and when she'll be home.

Ms. Marriott was staying with her aunt and uncle, D. Rebecca Hanna and Anthony J. Hanna, in Chester and commuting to UNH in Durham, where she was majoring in marine biology, Mrs. Tyning said. On Tuesday night, she sent a text to a friend in Dover at 9 p.m.

That was the last contact she had with anyone, according to her family. She was planning to visit a friend in Dover before going to her aunt and uncle's house, Ms. Tyning said. There was a cellular signal sent from Ms. Marriott's cellphone to a cell tower in Dover around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Ms. Tyning said.

“She is really responsible and let her aunt and uncle know she was intending to he home before midnight after visiting her friend in Dover,” Ms. Tyning said. “She is always really responsible about letting people know. This is not like her at all.”

Her aunt and uncle notified Ms. Marriott's parents around 6:30 a.m. yesterday that she had not come home for two nights, Ms. Tyning said, Ms. Marriott also had not attended classes or work at Target in Greenland, N.H., on Wednesday, she said.

It was difficult for the Hannas to determine whether Ms. Marriott was in trouble, Ms. Tyning said, because she is getting older and staying out later and making new friends in the area.

“We just want her home,” Ms. Tyning said. “We love her. If she's in trouble, she doesn't have to worry about it. We just want to surround her with love.”

Ms. Tyning said she was concerned her niece may have had a car accident. “She is a new driver and new to the area and never commuted to UNH until a few weeks ago,” she said.

Ms. Marriott was a musician in high school and won a music scholarship there. She also ran track in high school and was planning to go out for the track team this spring at UNH, according to her mother.

The search is getting much attention on Twitter, where users are using the hashtag #FindLizzie. A Facebook page has also been set up.

Ms. Marriott drives a tan 2001 Mazda Tribute with a New Hampshire license plate of 3045397.